Flying to the US - which airline?
 

After some up to date info on best airline to fly from UK to west coast US. American, BA, Virgin, United, etc. etc.?
Who has the best seats?
Best attitude?
Best food?

I haven't been for a while and heard varying reports in last couple of years.

Thanks!

Without doubt British Airways. Check the latest deals here BA Website

The longhaul experience with BA is very good (I would say that, wouldn't I?) but ask around. Two flights a day to both LAX &SFO gives plenty of choice as well.....

On the assumption that you're going economy, I would definitely pick BA or VS over anything hailing from the other side of the Atlantic.

As between BA and VS, it's mostly a matter of taste. BA (in my view) is consistently good overall, but it's more restrained/refined/sophisticated (take your pick) than VS and some people find it a bit cold and stand-offish. BA a/c have virtually all now got personal seatback TV screens, thus nullifying one of VS' main selling points for most pax. (I hardly ever watch anything on an a/c so this has never been an issue for me.)

VS also sounds like it's been suffering a bit from cuts, so some of the goodies have gone. My main problem personally with the VS product itself is that the entire cabin service is geared to the inclusive tour market, and it can be intrusive and annoying if all you really want is to be left alone to your own devices unless and until you want some service. There are also some reports that the cabin service on return flights to the UK is less good than on the outbound flights because the crew is, er, less fresh and rested. Nevertheless, I have friends who fly both BA and VS who would pick VS every time because they have more fun.

To LAX, you would also have the choice of flying on Air New Zealand. It used to be really good, but what I have heard lately is that service levels there have suffered a bit too. Must still be better than the AA/UA bus services that masquerade as airlines.

As always it depends upon your idea of 'service' and what you consider to be 'good food' and 'attitude'?

For example, I reckon that being left alone for most of the time is good and that any food containing spice or pasta means that I will spend the flight asking for spare bread rolls!! Food that is simple and hot and a reasonable quantity of meat and veg that I can identify is good!

Not to mention that you have not mentioned which cabin you can afford to travel in?

I am biased also, VS has been my first choice in long haul for the 17 years that I have been using them and I would make them my first choice - irrespective of which cabin I was travelling in. (I've done them all on long haul. :} )

That said - I think that the two are neck and neck and only nit-picking between them. You will aways find someone who has had a bad experience on a carrier and for everyone who says, They Are Great another says, Don't Touch Them.

For money - my guess is that BA will be offering good prices as they are in the middle of an extensive campaign.

Let us know your choice and experience!

BRITISH AIRWAYS

(I'm not a Brit nor do I work for BA,....but I have travelled a great deal). :cool:

I'm in the industry, British and living in the US. I travel across the pond on several occasions, full fare and I always book on Virgin if it is my choice. I have had one awful flight with them, but that's it! BA on the other hand...inconsistent. Very much, we are here to serve then that's it until the second service!

Virgin have a personal touch. I was flying out when my daughter was born and was buying a bottle of Champers. I only had large notes. After trying hard to sort out some change the Flight Attendant took my bottle back and returned with another, compliments of Virgin...There was no need, but what a nice touch!

That's beyond the call of duty...

I generally find the VS crew friendly, always having a laugh and enjoying their job. BA on the otherhand, well it's hit and miss. I have had some lovely flights with them, but not since I have been living over here!

Incidentally, I had a fabulous flight with US Air to LGW earlier this year, but I would stick with VS...or BA if you are that way inclined.

No axe to grind, but I choose Virgin every time as I like the more friendly atmosphere that they encourage.

Just wanted to mention that American advertises "more room in coach" -- and you may want to consider that. I haven't flown them across the Atlantic, but it's a long flight to the west coast, and those extra inches of pitch might please you.

American Airlines are the best in my opinion.

V1 Rotate
:cool: :cool: :cool:

Airbus Girl,

I am flying Virgin Atlantic from LHR to LAX on 4th November and returning two weeks later.

I will let you know how I get on?

Jinkster

Virgin EVERY time... consistantly overall better service. Nothing personal against BA but the whole Virgin package has always been more user friendly and customer service orientated.

Only US carrier I would consider are Continental, was clean, smart and good food...rest of them are awful with miserable (ignorant!) cabin service...US Airways for example 'you last 100 passengers have got no choice you'll have to have pasta as that's all we've got left'...

VS is ok but certainly not the glitsy, go that extra mile airline that it used to be 10 years ago...BA haven't used since that moron Ayling took over...might have to give them another try as they do seem to consistantly get the vote on here.

We used American Airlines for the first time last year and they where fantastic. The best part is the e x t r a legroom in economy. Its so much better than BA/Virgin. If you show your ID card they will probably upgrade you as well, we sat in business on the return.

If I could fly with AA long haul any where I would. Much much better than BA with all that room!

Airbus Girl, I would also offer my support for AA, not onlyfor the leg room (I am 6'2") but also for their in-flight service. You may not be aware that ANZ do this route non-stop as well. I am sure someone can tell you whether they are worthy of consideration.

Don't know when you are travelling but, taking Jinkster's travel plans, returns(inc) to LAX from London are showing as around £260 for Virgin, £270 for AA, but nothing under £300 for BA.

Hope you have a great time

Hi,

I would personally go for Virgin Atlantic. They are a 4**** rated airline on Skytrax, they also have very reasonable fares.

BAe 146-100

it does depend on your priorities. i'm 6'4" and the ONLY thing that matters to me is seat pitch. the diff between 34" with AA and 31" with BA and VS is everything. we went to MCO with AA in april and thought they were so good that we're using them to LAS next week. i'm a real fan of BA WT+ too and BA in general, but long haul in a 31" pitch is not funny.

PeetD

have to agree with you, I am roughly the same height- and those seats in AA made it for me! I dont care what the food etc was like as long as the seat was OK! To my surprise the food/ movies were great.

Wont be going across the atlantic again unless i'm on AA.

I'll throw my vote into the VS hat, only crossed the pond with them once but was mightily impressed. Great crew, excellent food (chicken tikka massala :ok: ), and they don't censor the movies like certain other airlines.

BA: Again, only one transatlantic and my most memorable ever, but sadly not an option after Oct. 24th :(

Honourable mention to UA, cos if you don't like the inflight entertainment, you can tune in to the cockpit radio.

I agree with Crepello about United's "inflight entertainment" - why don't more carriers offer this? I don't suppose it will be too interesting on a hop across the pond, though - much more fun inside the US!

I'd be quite happy going VS or BA in economy - if you can afford (or otherwise blag) an upgrade, then I doubt you'll be disappointed whover you fly with.

Final thought, the most important criterion for me is a non-stop (or at least direct) flight to my destination. Changing planes at O'Hare (or wherever) wastes time and greatly dimishes the chances that your luggage will be waiting for you at your destination.

Agreed
 

I agree with the general sentiment, which is "It depends". What's important depends on you individually. Me, I am in the "more room is more important than food or entertainment (providing theprice is the same)" brigade, which pushes me towards AA, unless it is more expensive.

Back to the orginal poser of the question: What are your selection criteria, in what sequence?

- Food.
- Entertainment
- Price
- On-time record
- "Must be the same flag as on my passport"
- "I'm loyal to BA (or whatever) and am really only asking the question to have people make me feel good about that"
- Safety record
- Room
- FF credits (Where BA will probably score lowest)
- "Ability to use my exisitng miles to upgrade for the overnight leg"
- Attractive flight attendants
- etc.